Comparison

PlayFadePause vs Total Remote Control

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PlayFadePause

Control theatrical audio with complex sound cues from your mobile device. Play multiple sounds simultaneously, crossfade between tracks, and manage show files easily. Ideal for small-scale productions, rehearsals, and conferences.

Highlights
  • Simultaneous multi-sound playback
  • Seamless crossfading between cues
  • Networked cue firing via OSC
  • Adjustable sound effect fades
  • Infinite or timed looping
  • Import audio from various sources
  • Exportable show files
Features
Read full description

At last theatrical audio control for situations where you can't afford (or can't fit) a laptop - now free for one show file, and also free to import shared show files. Now fully free! Making full use of all the features of your device, PlayFadePause allows you to run a complete show with complex sound cues, all from the press of a simple GO button. Features include - Play multiple sound cues at the same time, at different (preset) volumes - Easily crossfade between cues without creating multiple fade cues - Fire cues over a network using OSC - Fade running sound effects up or down, automatically stopping the cue when the fade is complete if required - Loop sound effects infinitely, or for a certain number of times. - Easily crossfade between two tracks - Adjust in and out times for play cues - Set and fade the pan and speed of tracks - Set cues to auto follow, with delays if required - Import audio from your iTunes library, from email attachments, from dropbox or from other PlayFadePause show files - Export show files as a bundle (including all audio files) through the standard iOS share interface - Manage show files in an easy to use interface - Set the app to force the device's volume to remain at full while the app is running - Stop the device from sleeping while the app is active - De-bounce guard to avoid double tapping Go Perfect for running small scale shows, for using in rehearsals or for conferences PlayFadePause is free for one show, with an In App Purchase available to unlock unlimited shows and sharing features

About

Total Remote Control

Transform your iPad into a wireless control surface and extended display for your Mac. Ideal for professionals, it offers low-latency screen mirroring and precise multitouch remote control over Wi-Fi.

Highlights
  • Wireless control surface
  • Second display functionality
  • Low-latency screen mirroring
  • Multitouch gesture control
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
Features
Read full description

Turn your iPad into a powerful wireless control surface and second display for your Mac. Total Remote Control is the ultimate tool for professionals who need to interact with their Mac from anywhere in the room — or beyond. Ideal for live sound engineers, lighting technicians, and advanced users, it lets you: • Mirror your Mac screen with ultra-low latency. • Control your Mac remotely using precise multitouch gestures. • Extend your desktop and use your iPad as a portable second display. Whether you’re mixing a show, triggering cues, editing on the move, or just need more screen space, Total Remote Control adapts to your workflow — no cables, no lag. Works over Wi-Fi. Perfect for stage, studio, or mobile environments. This app is free to download. The macOS server requires a license (free trial available). Download at total-remote-control.com. Compatible with macOS 12.4 or later and iPadOS 16.6 or later.

Screenshots

PlayFadePause1 screens
Total Remote Control4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Total Remote Control at 5.0 against PlayFadePause's 4.5. Total Remote Control also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (100% vs 70%). PlayFadePause's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. PlayFadePause sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Total Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Total Remote Control holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of PlayFadePause's written reviews are positive against 100% of Total Remote Control's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlayFadePause ships an update every 5 weeks, Total Remote Control every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PlayFadePause versus Total Remote Control: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlayFadePauseTotal Remote Control
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRichard WilliamsonDavid Barral

Customer experience

PlayFadePause

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

Total Remote Control

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PlayFadePause

One-time1
  • Save Shows$2.99
None

Total Remote Control

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PlayFadePause free?
PlayFadePause is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Total Remote Control free?
Total Remote Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PlayFadePause or Total Remote Control?
Total Remote Control is rated higher. PlayFadePause averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Total Remote Control averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PlayFadePause or Total Remote Control have ads?
Neither PlayFadePause nor Total Remote Control shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlayFadePause or Total Remote Control?
PlayFadePause ships an update every 5 weeks, and Total Remote Control every 3 weeks. Most recently, PlayFadePause was updated on September 9, 2026 and Total Remote Control on June 1, 2026.

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